Heartworms in dogs: causes and treatment
Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs live in the heart and pulmonary arteries. While all worms are dangerous to your pet’s health, experts generally agree that heartworms are the most worrisome. While there are plenty of treatment options for Heartworm, they can impact your dog’s behavior.
Heartworms are transmitted from infected mosquitoes. Heartworms grow and multiply within the dog’s heart, and in severe cases can cause heart failure and other organ damage. In a newly infected dog, it takes about 6 to 7 months for the infected larvae to mature into adult heartworms.
Heartworms are preventable and treatable but can be fatal if not diagnosed. Treatment is lengthy, requires confinement and exercise restrictions, and can have serious side effects. Activity restriction is essential for heartworm patients during the recovery period. Since most heartworm medication is very powerful, the majority of them require a vet’s prescription.
If you are interested in treatment options, you should check out my article on the safest heartworm prevention for dogs.
Dog behavior after heartworm treatment
Just about all forms of heartworm treatment will impact your dog’s behavior. The most common behavior for a dog after heartworm treatment is
- Lethargy and sleepiness
- Lack of energy
- Muscle soreness
How to care for a dog on heartworm treatment
The heartworm treatment and recovery process are much tougher than the prevention of this disease. Caring for a dog after heartworm treatment is a long and difficult phase.
The hardest challenge for heartworm treatment is that you need to keep your dog calm and relaxed. This is especially important for high-energy dogs. Here are some useful tips to manage dog behavior after heartworm treatment:
- Activity restriction
Dogs should have their activity constrained before treatment, during treatment, and for two months after treatment. A dog in recovery should not run or play during the initial period. Even after heartworm treatment is successfully completed, the dog should not go for long walks or engage in vigorous play for another month. Each affected dog needs to be given time to gradually build back its strength.
After two months, if your dog is feeling up to it, take him out for a very short walk. It might help him feel better. Your dog will take in the fresh air and enjoy the soothing sights.
But always be cautious to keep the walks very short and at a slow space. Your dog should not return back to their normal pace until they have already gone on at least 5-10 walks/runs. Remember to pack a water bottle as your pup might get thirsty during the initial walks.
- Spend time with your fur buddy
Try to spend time with your dog to prevent him from getting up and running around. You can lay down next to your dog and read a book or bring your laptop. You can also bring your dog’s crate next to the couch while watching TV or a movie. A dog that is going through heartworm treatment will need a lot of love and affection.
- Don’t underestimate the power of a right bed
One of the most important aspects of a dog going through heartworm treatment is ensuring that they are comfortable. Since your dog will likely spend a lot of time lying down, it is important that they have access to a comfortable bed that is big enough. If your current dog bed is old or has loss some of its “fluff”, it might be worth it to buy a new one to ensure your dog is comfortable.
- Don’t let your dog become dehydrated
The last thing you want is for your dog to become dehydrated after heartworm treatment. It is important that your dog always has access to a fresh, clean bowl of water. For fussy dogs who are not interested in their water bowl, you can add some unflavored, dog-friendly electrolyte mix to their bowl. This will help maintain a healthy hydration level.
- Groom your dog
Your furry companion might not have the energy to keep himself tidy during this period. In times like these, you must keep your dog clean. A dog that is well kept and groomed will have better mental health, which can help speed up their recovery time.
To clean your dog, you can use a wet cloth and wipe down their body. Your dog will feel refreshed and re-energized after it. Do not forget to clean the ears, eyes, and mouth.
- Stay calm and relaxed in front of your dog
Dogs pick up on their owner’s energy. A calm and stress-free dog-parent is the best thing for a dog while they recover from heartworm. Therefore, it is important that you keep calm and don’t overthink it too much. You can also watch a movie with your dog that helps you both stay relaxed.
You should also do your best to avoid loud noises in your house. Dog’s sense of hearing is much stronger than humans, so a sound that seems normal to you can be very irritating. Therefore, do your best to maintain a quite environment in your house.
Pro tip: Do not administer any medicine to your dogs without advice and guidance from a qualified veterinarian.
In closing
Prevention is the best approach to dealing with heartworms. To help prevent your dog from getting heartworms, you should always try to feed your dog a balanced and healthy diet. There are also plenty of heartworm prevention medications that your vet can prescribe. If your dog has issues with fleas, you should check out my article on the Best Natural Way to Keep Fleas Off Dogs.
If your dog does have to undergo heartworm treatment, activity restriction is the most important aftercare step for dog owners to follow.
